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BOC Immingham Dissolved Acetylene Project Environmental Statement
Designated Site
SSSI xvii , SAC,
Ramsar site
SSSI, SAC
Table 10.6 Potential Construction Impacts on Qualifying Features within the Humber Estuary SSSI, SAC, SPA and Ramsar Site
Qualifying Interest
Features
Estuaries
Mudflats and sandflats not
covered by seawater at
low tide
Presence of Qualifying Feature in Relation to Proposed Development
and Likelihood for Impacts to Occur
The proposed development lies approximately 1 km from the Estuary. The
only links between the proposed development and the Estuary are the
surface water within Middle Drain, immediately adjacent to the proposed
development which flows into the Estuary, and groundwater which is in
hydraulic continuity with the Estuary.
No changes to surface water or groundwater quality or levels during
construction are likely to change the nature, setting or functioning of the
Humber Estuary.
Due to the nature and scale of the proposed development, any accidental
contamination of surface waters or groundwater would be unlikely to cause
significant impacts on the Estuary due to dilution effects within this huge
body of water. However, there would be controls in place throughout
construction of the development which would prevent contamination of
surface water or groundwater.
For construction control measures will be fully described within the CEMP
which will include procedures for control of pollution including prevention of
contaminants entering water courses and groundwater.
With these procedures in place there are no significant effects anticipated
upon this qualifying interest feature.
The closest intertidal mudflats are the Pyewype Mudflats; present along
the southern edge of the Estuary and approximately 1 km from the
proposed development. These mudflats are particularly productive,
supporting a range of benthic communities, and are important for a range
of feeding and loafing water birds, including those which are primary
qualifying reasons for the designation of the SPA and Ramsar site, in
particular for golden plover.
There are no construction activities associated with the proposed
development that would lead to any loss or damage of this habitat.
Development activities will be restricted to within the application site,
Impact
Significance
No significant
negative effect
No significant
negative effect
xvii The vascular plant and invertebrate assemblages associated with the Humber Estuary SSSI are contained within the SSSI designated habitats and therefore, as there are no anticipated
impacts on habitats within the SSSI, it is considered that further, separate assessment of these assemblages is necessary.
5100935.404 Environmental Statement August 2011 167